Computer networks are the basis of communication in IT. They are used in a huge variety of ways and can include many different types of network. A computer network is a set of computers that are connected together so that they can share information. The earliest examples of computer networks are from the 1960s, but they have come a long way in the half-century since then.
Types of Network
There are many different types of network, which can be used for different purposes and by different types of people and organization. Here are some of the network types that you might come across:
Local Area Networks (LAN)
A local area network or LAN is a network that connects computers within a limited area. This might be in a school, an office or even a home.
Personal Area Networks (PAN)
A personal area network is a network that is based on an individual's workspace. The individual's device is the center of the network, with other devices connected to it. There are also wireless personal area networks.
Home Area Networks (HAN)
A home area network connects devices within a home environment. It might include personal computers, tablets, smartphones, printers, TVs and other devices.
Wide Area Networks (WAN)
A wide area network is a network that covers a larger geographical area, usually with a radius of more than a kilometer.
More info: computer network
